England emerged victorious 25-6 from this hotly contested Pool C encounter with South Africa at Subiaco Oval in Perth, thanks mainly to the ever reliable boot of Jonny Wilkinson.
This match had been hyped up ever since the Rugby World Cup 2003 draw was made last year with the winner in pole position to win the Pool and so avoid a daunting quarter final with likely Pool D winners New Zealand.
England had won the previous meeting 53-3 last November, but such a repeat was never likely with both sides keeping it tight in a physical encounter and making several errors.
The sides had gone in level at half time with fly halves Wilkinson and Louis Koen kicking two penalties each, although four missed efforts by the latter should have seen the Springboks comfortably ahead.
Wilkinson kicked another two penalties in the opening 11 minutes of the second half as England put some distance between themselves and the 1995 champions.
The turning point though came in the 63rd minute when flanker Lewis Moody charged down a clearance by Koen, the ball bouncing backwards with Will Greenwood racing through to touch down his own hack on unchallenged.
Wilkinson added two drop goals to ease England clear as the Springbok forwards began to tire, somewhat ironic given the last meeting between these two sides at a Rugby World Cup saw Jannie de Beer kick a world record five for South Africa.
England held on for the all important victory, in a match which saw replacement Jason Leonard equal Sean Fitzpatrick's record of 17 Rugby World Cup appearances, to remain at the top of Pool C.
The next round of matches see England take on Samoa at Telstra Dome in Melbourne on 26 October, two days after South Africa face Georgia at Sydney's Aussie Stadium.
South Africa: 6
Penalties: Koen (2)
England: 25
Tries: Greenwood
Conversions: Wilkinson
Penalties: Wilkinson (4)
Drop Goal: Wilkinson (2)